Extensible chain.



C. H'. ALLEN EXTENSIBLE CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 19, 1915.

1,197,889.. PatentedSept. 12.1916.

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CHARLES H. ALLEN, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXTENSIBLE CHAIN.

Specification of Leters Patent. Patented Sept, 12, 1918,

Application filed June 19, 1915. Serial N0.35,050.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extensible Chains, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to extensible chains of the class or type generally worn by ladies, and it consists essentially in the novel construction of the inner coupling link members slidably mounted in and forming a part of the main units of the chain.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my improvement, in enlarged scale, Figure 1 represents a length of wire from which the coupling link is made; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the piece of wire after its ends have been shaped, and integral lugs formed thereon by swaging; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the acted-upon piece of wire bent to form an elongated loop or coupling link of an extensible chain unit; Fig. 4: is a similar view, showing more clearly the arrangement of the said lug members; Fig. 5 is a side elevation, in partial section, taken on line 55 of Fig. 6, showing the relation of the parts of one of the main units normally contracted or closed; Fig. 6 is a corresponding top plan view of it; and Fig. 7 represents, in reduced scale, an extensible chain embodying my improvements.

In the drawings E designates an extensible chain composed of a plurality of interchangeable, detachably connected link units A formed of suitable metal, the chain being provided with means for clasping and unclasping its terminal ends to and from each other.

Each unit A consists of a suitably formed elongated outer member B, which may be termed a duplex link, having spaced-apart front and rear side sections, a and a united at their ends by transverse ties m. I prefer to form each member B from a single struckup blank in any well-known way. Each unit A includes the inner coupling link C slidably mounted in the longitudinal space formed between the adjacent inner edges of said outer side sections of the duplex member B. In order to render the units extensible, the inner or slide link C is provided with the usual confined and concealed helical spring 8 arranged to keep the links of the chain normally contracted. In extensible link units of this general type, one end of the spring bears against the inner or coupling link, while, the other end presses against the outer link.

' its meeting ends are adapted to overlie each other, as indicated at f. Before the wire is bent to, the link-shape portions of opposite edges of the stock are pressed or swaged by suitable tools to produce comparatively thin laterally projecting outer integral lugse, 6 having the entire surface of the lugs goldplated. In forming the lugs on the wire corresponding shallow recesses 71 are produced in the stock at that point. The end portions of the thus acted upon wire are bent inwardly toward each other to form returnbends; the link C, when bent, may have an arcuate form and parallel sides; its upper member 0 being convex-shaped, and the lower or divided member 0 parallel with it, as clearly represented.

In the arrangement of my members forming the improved link G the divided portion 7 of the lower member 0 is located near the plain return bend n, while the opposite bend carries the guide-lugs e. The longer portion 1* of the lower arm or member 0 of the link is adapted to be sprung inward and constitute a tongue or keeper, the resiliency of the latter serving to close the hook portion proper r as forexample, when a unit A is being attached to or disconnected from the chain. It will be noticed that the outer ends 7) of the lugs e are beveled slightly, thereby reducing their contact area with the adjacent edges of the side sections a, a thus reducing the area of sliding contact with the inner edges of the member B.

In adding a unit A to the chain or in disconnecting one from it, the link C normally resisted by the spring 8 is first partially withdrawn endwise manually from the outer member B until the joint 7 is fully exposed, to forcibly contract the spring 8, followed by springing inward the free end portion of the member r to open the hook part r after which the removal or addition of a unit A may be easily and quickly effected and upon releasing the manual pressure from the free end the latter returns to its normal or closed condition.

In the construction of my improved coupling or slide link C no solder is employed, no stock is removed from the one piece of wire stock used, and when seamless goldplate wire is employed the entire outer surface of the link is covered with gold, no base metal being exposed.

I claim: V

1. In an expansible chain or the like, outer sides each having lateral elements connecting the sides, inner elongated coupling links slidable in the side links, and springs in the coupling links, each of the last-named links having a transverse opening in one of its connecting sides, the two ends of each coupling link being semicircular, one of its ends provided with laterally disposed integral guide lugs projecting from its sides engageable with members of the outer side Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for link, said guide-lugs having less thickness than the material comprising the link.

2; The combination of a duplex or compound outer side link member having opposed laterally separated end portions permanently connected together, an elongated inner coupling link or band of seamless wire located within the said outer side link adapted for longitudinal movement, said coupling link member having bent semi-circular ends connected by upper and lower parallel sides, the said lower side being split transversely, guide lugs engaging the outer side link extending laterally from opposite sides of one of the semi-circular ends, said guide lugs being integral with the material of the coupling member, and having the lugs thinner than the normal thickness of the material or wire of the coupling, and an inclosed spring element in engagement with both the said link members.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my CHARLES H. ALLEN.

signature.

fivecents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. G. 

